That’s the advice a Marin psychologist has for anyone stuck in the commuting nightmare created by the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge shutdown, which made the already tough Bay Area commute even worse Thursday.

For travelers finding themselves in gridlock, attitude can be everything. Dr. Robert Nemerovski, who specializes in anger management, said the fact that the bridge closure was unexpected is a “very, very common factor” in piquing people’s anger on the road.

To keep a cooler head, Nemerovski recommends taking a few deep breaths to help the nervous system adjust to tougher driving conditions.

“The nervous system reacts to all this because people are feeling some shock, and they’re feeling threatened that they won’t get where they need to go,” he said. “They can become competitive with other drivers to get around this mess.”

Indeed the California Highway Patrol was receiving calls from drivers stuck on roads reporting that other motorists were cutting by driving in the center divide and shoulder areas of the roads.

Recognizing that everyone on the road is in the same proverbial boat is also central to tamping down on the negative emotions that can well up during a startling and persistent slog through traffic.

“Everyone is having the same thoughts, the same types of frustrations. When you think more about all the cars on the road as being like-minded people, you’re less likely to be angry and agitated by them,” he said.

And, if drivers happen to be listening to political talk radio, maybe it’s time to flip over to some music, or a station that’s a little more relaxing, and not so stress-making.”

CHP officers received reports of football-sized chunks of concrete falling from the bridge’s upper deck shortly after 10:30 a.m., closing all lanes in both directions within a little more than an hour.

After the bridge was partially reopened on Thursday afternoon — with one lane in each direction — more chunks fell and forced a second complete closure. As of 4:45 p.m., one lane was reopened in the eastbound direction.

Caltrans estimated the bridge would be fully reopened by 8:00 p.m. Thursday.

Dominic Fracassa covers San Francisco City Hall for The Chronicle. He previously worked as a reporter and editor for the Daily Journal, a legal affairs newspaper. He started in news in his home state of Michigan, where he worked as a news director of 103.9 WLEN.